MemberClicksWhen it comes to technology, I think we can all agree that the only constant is change. Once we get comfortable with one platform/device, bam! Another 10 pop up. Now the key to adapting to these changes is to understand which trends impact your members the most. (Not all should be given equal weight.) Then from there, you can figure out unique ways to incorporate those trends into your association.READ MORE

Smooth the PathBig brands love it when consumers make positive associations. Sports brands race to sponsor premier athletes and the next up-and-comers. Fashion brands deck out the stars for free. Restaurants comp meals for celebrities. They know that for every pair of skis they give away thousands of potential customers are thinking, “If these skis are good enough for [famous skier’s name here] they are good for me.” This same tactic can work for associations.READ MORE

CEO RecommendedBrought to you by the Fort Worth CVBWhy board diversity (or lack of it) matters to CEOsAssociations NowWhen we talk about diverse boards, we usually talk about the present and the future. But the past matters as well. We’re all products of our experiences, after all, and the breadth of experiences CEOs have with people can influence how well-equipped they are to handle those future challenges.

By Julie Bernhard It's clear that annual meetings are the pinnacle of any organization. They are the forefront of what the organization has to offer members, ranging in everything from continuing education to the largest gathering of the greatest minds in the field. While hotels and their event spaces still stand as the traditional and more popular places to host, a quiet disruptor is slowly making a name for itself in the meetings space. Enter the sharing economy: offering lodging alternatives through vacation rentals.READ MORE

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

This Town is Big Enough for All of UsAmarillo has over 6,000 hotel rooms to serve your every need. Starting in summer 2017, this inventory will include the Embassy Suites Convention Center Hotel, located directly across from the 410,000 square foot Amarillo Civic Center Complex. www.visitamarillo.com #Amarilloisonmymind.

AptifySegmentation has long been a buzz word in membership and marketing departments, and with data mining and engagement scoring tools readily available there’s no reason this shouldn’t be on your 2017 strategy list. But segmentation is only as good as its relevance to your association, so focus on evaluating the right segments to analyze. Tools will help identify patterns that you may not have recognized.READ MORE

Association SuccessMarketing is one of those disciplines that leaves you feeling one step behind all of the time. Particularly now with the increased use of social media and the hundreds of startups flooding your inbox with digital marketing tools, it’s hard to separate what new marketing techniques are actually being implemented successfully vs. what seems to be trendy purely because it’s new.READ MORE

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PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Meet on the Edge!The Max, Laredo’s municipal golf course, will take you to the edge of the country along the banks of the Rio Grande. Pack your golf clubs and get ready to tee off at this Robert Trent Jones, II signature course while taking in the beauty of South Texas.

By Robert C. Harris Society has seen many changes of late, including Brexit, a shift in U.S. governance style, the closure of the 146-year-old Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus, and the shuttering of hundreds of Kmart and Sears stores. Institutions that appeared to be America's strongest are closing. Most associations rely on membership dues for more than half of their budget. Will there ever be a headline reading "Associations become endangered"? Do these factors affect the membership model?READ MORE

Event Manager BlogThe event industry is now awash with great examples of VR and although it’s a little too soon to call it mainstream, it appears that we are reaching the tipping point. The question now is not if, but when and how you will be using VR in your events.READ MORE